Like a doctor with his patient, Kaase does a last-minute examination just prior to firing up for a dyno check before Bob Bertsch arrives to pick up his engine that’s been in the JKR shop for freshening with new rods, pistons and a couple of experimental camshaft tests.

With his hand on the loud “pedal,” Kaase briefly brings the mountain motor up to full song, just long enough to record about 1900 horsepower.

The master at work. Kaase spends considerable time each day repairing and restoring the carnage that Extreme Pro Stock competitors inflict on his wares at each race.